Skyline College has been selected as an AmeriCorps member placement site for the California Community Colleges Student Ambassador Program. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges launched this new program to expand student ambassador programs supporting student success. The program offers an exciting opportunity to complement and expand existing college efforts by placing Skyline College students as AmeriCorps volunteers in a “student ambassador” capacity. These student ambassadors will focus on connecting peers to health and wellness services OR work-based learning opportunities, particularly among economically disadvantaged peers.
The Skyline College mission “to empower and transform a global community of learners” is in complete alignment with the AmeriCorps values around alleviating poverty and developing leaders. The volunteers selected for this program will support the efforts of the following programs and increase the effectiveness of their services:
- SparkPoint: financial health, food pantry, housing and public assistance
- Career Services: work-based learning opportunities
- Health Services: workshops on physical & mental health issues and community resources fairs
- Outreach: increase awareness and connection to on-campus support programs and resources
AmeriCorps Student Ambassadors will help other students access services, improve employability, and reduce barriers to completion while also gaining valuable work experience. Students will complete 900 service hours over the course of the 2017-2018 academic year, overseen and coached by Skyline College personnel. Each member’s term of service will be a minimum of 900 hours over the academic year. Each member will receive a small living allowance, and an Education Award of $2,907.50 from the National Service Trust once they complete the term of service.
Student recruitment for this program is just beginning, so please refer any interested students to Chad Thompson, Director of SparkPoint and Career Services, at thompsonc@smccd.edu or 650-738-7038.
Article by Chad Thompson, Photo by AmeriCorps California
